MEDIA RELEASE

John Langenstein

John Langenstein, Kona Coffee Veteran, to Manage Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation

November 23, 2009 (Kona, Hawaii’s Big Island) – Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation has hired veteran Kona coffee expert John Langenstein as its new general manager. Langenstein brings 25 years of experience in farming Kona coffee to Mountain Thunder.

“John has a reputation for high quality Kona coffee, and he’s going to be an integral part of helping our organic family-run farm maintain its high level of excellence,” said Mountain Thunder’s President, Trent Bateman.

Mountain Thunder’s deep, robust brew has won nearly every contest it has entered, including earning the Kona Coffee Council’s prestigious “Cream of the Crop” award every year since 2003; and the Gold Medal at the Kona Coffee Farmers Association’s Kona Coffee Fair every year since 2006. In 2007 and 2008, readers of West Hawaii Today also voted Mountain Thunder as the best Kona Coffee Grower.

Langenstein, who has an extensive background in food, beverage and hospitality, also manages his own boutique coffee farm and sells his beans to Mountain Thunder. He recently served as sales manager for Koa Coffee. It was Mountain Thunder’s family-run plantation and superior quality that attracted him to the position.

“The Batemans are like family to me. They are the leading producer of organic Kona coffee and their aloha spirit and strong work ethic is captured in every sip,” Langenstein said. “And they have an electric name. I’m very excited to be working here!”

Langenstein’s job duties will include introducing Mountain Thunder to Hawaii’s top restaurants and other distributors, ensuring quality control, managing processing operations, and helping brand the Kaloko plantation’s popular VIP Roastmaster for a Day tours, where visitors can process their own bag of superior Kona coffee from start to finish, complete with their own label.

Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation has two locations, both offering farm tours and gift shops: the organic 20-acre Kaloko plantation at the 3,200-foot elevation on Hualalai Mountain, and in historic Kainaliu, off Highway 19 about 18 miles south of the Kona International Airport.

John Langenstein can be reached by email at john@mountainthunder.com. For more information, visit www.mountainthunder.com.